Fort Carson trains for active shooter

By Dani Johnson

Fort Carson Public Affairs Office

COLORADO SPRINGS — Washington Naval Yard, Fort Hood, Sandy Hook, Columbine. Separately these places may mean something different to each person, but when mentioned collectively most people will make the connection that these locations have each experienced an active shooter situation.

Members of Fort Carson directorates and 4th Infantry Division; law enforcement officials and emergency managers from El Paso, Teller and Lake counties; the FBI and Colorado State Police gathered in Colorado Springs Dec. 11, 2014, for a seminar focused on how to respond to an active shooter incident.

“This is the first of four exercises that Fort Carson will be spearheading based on an active shooter scenario,” said Anthony Sevey, Fort Carson emergency manager.

“The objective of the seminar was to put everyone on the same sheet of music and by the time (the seminar is over) and everyone leaves, we will all be more informed, more educated and a better prepared organization,” said Lt. Col. Jason Marquiss, Directorate of Emergency Services director and 759th Military Police Battalion commander.

As defined by the Department of Homeland Security, an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. In most cases, active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Special Agent Marcus McCaskill from the FBI Albuquerque, New Mexico, Field Office discussed the behaviors of an active shooter and how people can prepare for an active shooter situation.

“When looking (into the) 1998 United States Secret Service Exceptional Case Study Project on assassinations, it was discovered that there were similar pathways toward violence when studying those who conducted assassinations and active shooters and how there are similar pre-attack behaviors in each,” said McCaskill. “I’m not going to tell you I can predict a violent actor, but I will tell you the warning signals and risk factors to look for in the behavior of people who have come to our attention.

“We are not talking about international political violence or gang- and profit-motivated criminal violence,” said McCaskill. “We are talking about targeted violence, which is predatory in nature. The offenders plan and prepare for it.”

After the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, the president mandated that the FBI gather the best practices from other active shooter situations and distribute them to as many agencies as possible.

According to McCaskill, active shooter situations are relatively uncommon events. The problem isn’t that they are happening so often; it is the psychological affect they have on the nation. Also, the endless news cycle makes it feel like they happen more often than they actually do.

“Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly,” said Lt. Brandon Graber, Fort Carson Police Department operations officer. “Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.”

According to FBI Active Shooter Statistics 2014, there were 160 incidents from 2000-2013. Sixty percent of the incidents were over by the time the police arrived.

Of the 64 incidents that could be measured in time, 69 percent ended in less than five minutes.

“Law enforcement will not be able to arrive fast enough,” said McCaskill. “It is important the community be involved in noticing suspicious behaviors and not overlooking concerning incidents because they know the individual. We must continue to educate on what are concerning behaviors.”

To combat the argument that violent movies and video games lead to violent behaviors, he said, “we are who we are, but we are attracted to things that go along with thoughts we already have —
(violent movies, video games and so forth) are ideation enhancers, an accelerant to pre-attack behavior.”

Community initiative to educate on what is an active shooter and the need to inform officials is vital, he said.

“Most active shooters are not seeking revenge but react due to a development of a personal grievance,” said McCaskill. “What wouldn’t be a grievance to most is to the offender. Most active shooters don’t have basic coping skills.”

Graber cautioned people to not expect the Special Reaction Team (SRT) to be there immediately.

“Don’t expect the SRT to respond first; it takes time to get them together. The first responders will be the patrol officers. People in the affected building need to remain calm and respond to the officers’ direction,” he said.

“The commonality for all of us (discussing Fort Hood’s two incidents and Washington Naval Yard) is that each offender had a legitimate reason and access (to the installations),” said Marquiss. “The insider threat is the biggest threat to Fort Carson. It could be someone with access, not the outsider.”

The four-hour seminar left many ready to learn more and be better prepared.

“The training was really good, and it is important we coordinate with different agencies to develop an integrated response,” said Michael Wilmott, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputy sheriff. “I hope we can do more joint training in the future to develop our responses.”

Responding to situation

Directorate of Emergency Services officials recommend the following actions when responding to an active shooter situation:

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect own life.

Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.

Have an escape route and plan in mind.

Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.

Leave belongings behind.

Help others escape, if possible.

If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Hiding place should be out of the active shooter’s view and provide protection if shots are fired in that direction, such as an office with a closed and locked door. To prevent an active shooter from entering the hiding place, lock the door and, if possible, blockade the door with heavy furniture.

If the active shooter is nearby, lock the door, silence cell phone, turn off any source of noise such as radios and televisions, hide behind large items such as cabinets or desks and remain quiet.

If evacuation and hiding are not possible, remain calm and dial 911, if possible, in order to alert police to the active shooter’s location. If unable to speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.

As a last resort, and only when life is in imminent danger, take action against the active shooter by attempting to disrupt and/or incapacitate him or her by acting as aggressively as possible to including throwing items and improvising weapons and yelling. Commit to the actions.

Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety.

Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling at the officers unless giving direction of the location of the active shooter.

Don’t stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises.

Once a person reaches a safe location or assembly point, he or she will likely be held by law enforcement until the situation is under control and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Don’t leave the safe zone until directed.